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You might not have heard of the quokka before, but there's a good chance you've seen pictures of these funny animals floating around the internet. They're distinctive because of their cheeky little grins, and it's no surprise that they're often referred to as the happiest wild animals in the world.
Quokkas come from the same family as the kangaroo (called Macropodidae), and they live on a handful of small Australian islands such as Rottnest Island and Bald Island. They can live for up to ten years, and just like other Macropods, these cute animals are herbivorous and mainly nocturnal. Unlike much other wildlife, however, the quokka, which has a "vulnerable" conservation status, isn't very scared of humans.
They don't seem to be scared of pictures either, and there was even a craze a few years ago that saw people taking selfies with Quokkas. It might seem like a fun thing to do, but remember that anybody caught handling or feeding them can be issued with a fine of up to A$300. It's probably best to just leave them alone on their quokka island and enjoy this list compiled by Bored Panda instead. And no, before you ask, you cannot keep Quokkas as pets!
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#1
Gimme A Hug
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
When you come home from running an errand, and your pet acts like you've been gone for years!
Robbie Mowat 5 years ago
they are so cute but are they house pets? and if so were could i get one?
W Keith Andrews 5 years ago
happiest wild animals in the world. Quokkas come from the same family as the kangaroo (called Macropodidae), and they live on a handful of small Australian islands such as Rottnest Island and Bald Island. They can live for up to ten years, and just like other Macropods, these cute animals are herbivorous and mainly nocturnal. Unlike much other wildlife, however, the quokka, which has a "vulnerable" conservation status, isn't very scared of humans. They don't seem to be scared of pictures either, and there was even a craze a few years ago that saw people taking selfies with Quokkas. It might seem like a fun thing to do, but remember that anybody caught handling or feeding them can be issued with a fine of up to A$300. It's probably best to just leave them alone on their quokka island and enjoy this list compiled by Bored Panda instead. And no, before you ask, you cannot keep Quokkas as pets!
Kelly Melanson 4 years ago
Like when you get home And get lovingly bombarded with... Loves and hugs and kisses BEFORE You're tossed aside and the grocery etc. bag(s)are being ripped apart looking for any treats, goodies and possible surprise gifts
NEDA MOHAMMAD 5 years ago
oh quokkas are just soo cute also i did hug a quokka once in my beatiful life but now i have 10 pets so still happy
RELATED:
#2
Smiling Even When Asleep
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
This is how i sleep, knowing that I'm single and there ain't no one out there cheating on me.
Lena Sterling 8 years ago
This is how I sleep next to my wife, knowing that I'm with somebody who will never cheat on me.
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Ildiko Okido 8 years ago
Or when it's raining outside and you know you're in a nice warm bed for the next 8 hours or so.
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#3
Smiling To The Camera
JH Robertson 8 years ago
I'm a happy quokka. Please don't touch me, people caught handling quokkas can be fined up A$300. We aren't afraid of people. We like taking selfies. We are related to kangaroos, macropodidae.
Susann Campbell 8 years ago
Everyone needs this picture to see first thing when they wake up. Start your day with a smile.
John Bradley 5 years ago
I'm pretty sure there's an animated movie character modeled out of these, I just can't place it.
#4
Hello World
Jason Wedgwood 8 years ago
Another marsupial. From An island called Rottnest just off coast of Perth Western Australia. Home
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#5
Funny Quokka Selfie
#6
Thank You For My Leaf Human. You May Kiss My Snoot
Trai Rochon 6 years ago
Agreed. That's an absolutely adorable kiss on the forehead!
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Polkopot Sauri 5 years ago
Thanks for starting the new coronavirus pandemia. Wildlife animals are NOT TO KISS
#7
Wanna Try?
#8
Quokkas - Melting Hearts Since Forever
Hans 8 years ago
Well, let's agree on "since evolution decided to bring forward another cute marsupial.
Linda Sellers 8 years ago
Omg, they are so damned cute! I could kiss that adorable face all day long xoxoxoxo.
#9
Hey, What's Uuuup
#10
Cute Quokka
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
When you have been hard core dieting for 6 days ... and its your cheat day!
#11
Happy Together
Mike Burke 8 years ago
It's called a joey, and s/he's at the stage where he will be carried on his mother's back, since he won't fit into her pouch any more. He or she is not far from being independent at this stage
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#12
Nom Nom Nom
#13
Cuteness Overload
#14
Like Mother, Like Baby
Mike Burke 8 years ago
Actually, no. As soon as the joey is independent, off they go their own way and the female will have another the next season. From a different mate which does not stick around once the female has been impregnated.
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#15
Little Happy Quokka
JH Robertson 8 years ago
We kind of look like happy rabbits, except rabbits are cavys and we're marsupials.
#16
Happiest Quokka Selfie
Elak Swindell 5 years ago
"I might be smiling, but these crazy humans are annoying with their weird fake grins, and what is this stick next to me?"
Linda Sellers 8 years ago
You cannot look at these little darlings and not smile. They're so friggin cute, cute, cute!!!!!!!
#17
Wink
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
"Sup girl ... know what this luscious coat is made out of? Boyfriend material...swipe right"
#18
Quokka The Wizard
Kevin Donegan 8 years ago
Come with me little one and I will teach you the ways of the Quokka.
#19
Those Little Paws
Agata Kopka 8 years ago
we call it "crypto f**k" when you show middle finger to your siblings in present of your parents but in the way they wouldn't notice it. I guess Quokka just started the crypto f**k fight XD
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#20
This Happy Quokka
#21
An Apple A Day
Cheryl Birkhimer 8 years ago
If you are not allowed to have them as pets, it's still ok to pester them in their habitat? I'm just jealous.
#22
Happy Chap
#23
Happy Mama
Patriciarowell 8 years ago
I bet the 'ride' can get a little bumpy since the pouch is so low to the ground. Who cares as long as the little one gets to go along!
#24
Just Being Cute
Sofia Bellavista 8 years ago
The ears and the cheeks are the same shape, just different size! Ultra cute symmetry!
#25
I Am Cute And I Know It
#26
The Cutest Fighter In The World
Mike Burke 8 years ago
Thing is, they don't fight. They don't know how. And so many die because people bash them to death. There's a fellow just recently who had a friend YouTube an attack kicking one to death on his phone...and then the police were looking for him. When I stayed on Rottnest, I'd leave my window open at night, they'd come in and climb all over the bed. They c**p dry round pellets, which leave no mess and are easy to get rid of and they will even curl up with you while you go off to sleep and leave by dawn. I used to nurse wounded possums on my suburban block in Brisbane when I moved from Perth, ones who'd been tortured (one had a burnt face and his tail cut off, some had lost eyes to crows) and in the end, I had 30 I was feeding nightly and the females would bring me their joey's to show when in their pouches...and those joeys would bring theirs later. I have also looked after and fed ejected females from kangaroo and wallaby harems.
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That Smile Could Melt Any Heart
#28
Always Camera Ready
#29
Best Happiness Teacher
#30
The Happiest Little Quokka
#31
Little Cute Fighter
#32
Happy Quokka
Jay Van Emmenis 8 years ago
Omg, they're so cute it's not true, they look so cuddly, I would love to meet a troupe in its own habitat. Just awesome.
#33
Little Tongue Out
#34
Smile For The Camera Quokka
#35
Quokkas Band
Tara Williams 8 years ago
"yes human, arent we adorable? thats right, keep looking at us.... no one is sneaking behind you to steal your snacks...."
#37
Quokkawwwww
#38
Mmmm, So Delicious
#39
Excited Quokka
JH Robertson 8 years ago
If you're happy and you know it smile and get excited like a quokka!!!
#40
So Pensive
JH Robertson 8 years ago
Ah! Let's sit and just think happy thoughts like only quokkas can do.
#43
Adorable Bundle Of Joy
Mike Burke 8 years ago
The Dutch who named the island Rottnest (Rat Nest) thought that they were giant rats, when they saw them from their ships, when they had been blown off course too far from Batavia in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) Had they explored the island they might have settled it, because of the five freshwater lakes in the centre of it.
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Say Cheeeeese
#46
Curious Fellow
#47
Chubby Quokka
#48
Quokka Snacking
#50
Smiling Is All I Do
#53
Say Aaaaah
#56
Adorable Little Furry Friend
#65
Spreading Happiness With His Cute Little Face
#70
Look Up Little Buddy
#77
Wanna Boop That Snoot
Jason Wedgwood 8 years ago
We prefer pics only. Human locals will go postal on your a*s and kick you off the island with big fines
#81
The Horizon Must Be Beautiful
#82
Quokka And His Lightsaber
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What do you think ?
Katinka Min 8 years ago
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the last sentence in the text, that you cannot own them as pets. This 'I MUST own this cute animal!' attitude of some people is maddening and can have terrible consequences (just see how many slow lorises are tortured daily) Thank you for not feeding that!
Kate Young 8 years ago
That was my first thought, Katina- people just love to own animals. Thank goodness their are protected.
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Samantha Collins 8 years ago
And they are just that cute. To this day my favourite childhood memory is of Quokkas on Rottnest Island 💕
Helen Frances 8 years ago
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/rottnest-police-charge-kiwi-accused-of-throwing-a-quokka-off-a-fetty-20170318-gv10sq.html
Jason Wedgwood 8 years ago
Let's hope he gets deported too. Harm a quokka is as bad as kiddie fiddling in my book
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Beatrice Alighieri 8 years ago
I bookmarked this post and will check back on it whenever I'm feeling down. This is so so so so cute and adorable that my heart lightens up and all of a sudden I'm smiling again. :)
Rachel Hutton 8 years ago
2/2 I've seen so much death of animals from people being stupid with selfies. Don't be like them. Respect that these are wild creatures.
Rachel Hutton 8 years ago
I'm glad that Australian animals are getting some really good publicity of late, but please remember: they are animals. Respect them. 1/2
Katinka Min 8 years ago
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the last sentence in the text, that you cannot own them as pets. This 'I MUST own this cute animal!' attitude of some people is maddening and can have terrible consequences (just see how many slow lorises are tortured daily) Thank you for not feeding that!
Kate Young 8 years ago
That was my first thought, Katina- people just love to own animals. Thank goodness their are protected.
Load More Replies... Samantha Collins 8 years ago
And they are just that cute. To this day my favourite childhood memory is of Quokkas on Rottnest Island 💕
Helen Frances 8 years ago
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/rottnest-police-charge-kiwi-accused-of-throwing-a-quokka-off-a-fetty-20170318-gv10sq.html
Jason Wedgwood 8 years ago
Let's hope he gets deported too. Harm a quokka is as bad as kiddie fiddling in my book
Load More Replies... Beatrice Alighieri 8 years ago
I bookmarked this post and will check back on it whenever I'm feeling down. This is so so so so cute and adorable that my heart lightens up and all of a sudden I'm smiling again. :)
Rachel Hutton 8 years ago
2/2 I've seen so much death of animals from people being stupid with selfies. Don't be like them. Respect that these are wild creatures.
Rachel Hutton 8 years ago
I'm glad that Australian animals are getting some really good publicity of late, but please remember: they are animals. Respect them. 1/2
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